US20180087336A1

US20180087336A1 - Single trip coiled tubing conveyed electronic submersible pump and packer deployment system and method

Info

Publication number: US20180087336A1
Application number: US15/690,686
Authority: US
Inventors: Ammar A. Munshi; Jack Farmer; James Doane; Eric Ben Halfmann; David Ruddock; John Mack
Original assignee: Baker Hughes Inc
Current assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2016-09-23
Filing date: 2017-08-30
Publication date: 2018-03-29

Abstract

A single trip coiled tubing conveyed Electronic Submersible Pump and packer deployment system including, a power coiled tubing string, an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) connected to the coiled tubing, and an interventionless packer operably connected to the ESP prior to running in a borehole. A method for deploying an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) including assembling an ESP to a length compensating device which itself is assembled to an interventionless packer together on a powered coiled tubing, running the assemblage to a target depth, and setting the packer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/399,108 filed Sep. 23, 2016 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND

In the downhole industry, there are many impediments to profitability. Often those have to do with the cost of running tools, completions, drilling operations, etc. As one of skill in the art will be painfully aware, rigs carry significant cost and in general many runs are needed between the identification of where to drill and bringing the completed well on production. Every run dramatically increases the costs. The art has therefore in some cases attempted to accomplish certain activities in a single run or fewer runs than had been done prior to the development. In some cases these efforts yield fruit but in many, the interest in reducing runs does not result in an ability to do so simply because of complicating factors that have not been overcome. Since profitability continues to be and likely always will be an existential concern for businesses, the art will continue to search for improvements.

SUMMARY

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system as disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the system of FIG. 1 further including a short hop communications subsystem.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment utilizing a different interventionless packer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Coiled tubing is a well-used configuration for accessing boreholes but has always had some drawbacks such as lack of power. Newer technology related to coiled tubing allows for the coiled tubing to carry power in addition to its tried and true functionality. Since running Coiled tubing does not require a rig, operations that rely on coiled tubing instead of pipe can be undertaken for lower cost.
A particularly advantageous arrangement of components configured by the inventors hereof that reduces cost and time is a single trip coiled tubing conveyed Electronic Submersible Pump and packer deployment system 10 and method as disclosed herein.
Referring to FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a powered coiled tubing string 12 such as a Baker Hughes Incorporated Telecoil™ string. Upon the coiled tubing string is mounted (from more uphole to more downhole in ultimate location) an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) 14 followed by a length compensating device 16 such as a polished bore receptacle (PBR) followed by an interventionless packer 18. These components are all run together in a single trip. The ESP 14 having been stabbed into the PBR 16 at the surface (at a manufacturing location or in the field in some instances).
The packer 18 is an interventionless packer because means of setting a packer below an ESP through traditional intervention could be problematic due to inhibition of flow through the ESP 14 and downhole perforations that may exist in the borehole both of which limit the operator's ability to pressure up in order to set a packer in such a location. In particular, some embodiments of packer 18 include an electronic trigger 20 including temperature and time features or by command (wired or wireless). For temperature (temperature sensor 25) and or time (timer 26) features, the packer will time out and set after a certain temperature has been reached. Alternatively, the time may simply be set long enough to allow for placement. Other triggers are also contemplated. “By command” type triggers require that a signal be sent to the packer trigger 24 from surface or from some other location. As noted, these may be wired or wireless signals. It is to be understood that these types of interventionless packers are offered as examples only and not limitations. In some cases, the electronic trigger allows hydrostatic fluid to access a previously atmospherically balance piston to experience a pressure differential thereby causing the piston to exert work on another component thereby setting the packer.
Referring to wireless configurations, it is contemplated to use longer or short hop communication methods. While wireless methods might involve signals emanating from surface, it is also contemplated that as in FIG. 2, a short hop controller 22 might be operably connected to the coiled tubing 12 near the ESP 14 and provide a wireless signal hop to a receiver 24 on the packer.
In other embodiments, referring to FIG. 3, self setting packers 28 such as swell packers, shape memory packers, or similar may be employed. REPackers commercially available from Baker Hughes Incorporated may be employed as interventionless packers to set upon experiencing the appropriate conditions downhole such as temperature, chemical makeup of fluid in contact therewith, etc.
The system facilitates single trip deployment of an ESP and packer without requiring the normal spaceout after landing of the packer. The system further allows for retrieval of the ESP without removal of the packer and allows for removal of the packer as well if necessary.
The method for deploying an ESP in a borehole includes assembling an ESP 14, to a length compensating device 16, which itself is assembled to an interventionless packer 18 together on a powered coiled tubing 12. The entire assemblage is run into a borehole on the coiled tubing 12 to target depth and the interventionless packer set by temperature achievement, time passage, chemical reaction (reactive packers) command, etc. The coiled tubing 12 provide power for the ESP and the well may be brought on production.
Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:
Embodiment 1: A single trip coiled tubing conveyed Electronic Submersible Pump and packer deployment system including a power coiled tubing string, an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) connected to the coiled tubing, and an interventionless packer operably connected to the ESP prior to running in a borehole.
Embodiment 2: The system as in any prior embodiment further comprising a length compensating device operably connected between the ESP and the interventionless packer.
Embodiment 3: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the device is a Polished Bore Receptacle (PBR).
Embodiment 4: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the interventionless packer is an electrically triggered packer.
Embodiment 5: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the electrically triggered packer includes a timer.
Embodiment 6: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the electrically triggered packer includes a temperature sensor.
Embodiment 7: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the interventionless packer is triggered by command.
Embodiment 8: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the command is through wired means.
Embodiment 9: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the command is through wireless means.
Embodiment 10: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the wireless means is short hop.
Embodiment 11: A method for deploying an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) including assembling an ESP to a length compensating device which itself is assembled to an interventionless packer together on a powered coiled tubing, running the assemblage to a target depth, and setting the packer.
Embodiment 12: The method as in any prior embodiment further including running the ESP.
Embodiment 13: The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the setting includes sending a signal.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A single trip coiled tubing conveyed Electronic Submersible Pump and packer deployment system comprising:

a power coiled tubing string;

an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) connected to the coiled tubing; and

an interventionless packer operably connected to the ESP prior to running in a borehole.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a length compensating device operably connected between the ESP and the interventionless packer.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the device is a Polished Bore Receptacle (PBR).

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interventionless packer is an electrically triggered packer.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the electrically triggered packer includes a timer.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrically triggered packer includes a temperature sensor.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interventionless packer is triggered by command.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the command is through wired means.

9. The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the command is through wireless means.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wireless means is short hop.

11. A method for deploying an Electronic Submersible Pump (ESP) comprising:

assembling an ESP to a length compensating device which itself is assembled to an interventionless packer together on a powered coiled tubing;

running the assemblage to a target depth; and

setting the packer.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 further including running the ESP.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the setting includes sending a signal.